When you're tired of the heat in the middle of summer, the first thing that comes to mind is cold.
Ice water, ice cream that melts when you take a bite, and even cool ice water that combines fruit and ice.
All three fill your mouth with a sense of coolness, but there is a separate “most effective way to relieve the heat.” What is the best choice between ice water, ice cream, or ice water to cool down and reduce heat?
Ice water can be expected to have the most immediate effect of lowering body temperature. Cold water quickly lowers heat in the center of the body by directly touching the stomach through the mouth, throat, and esophagus. In particular, when dehydrated, ice water is responsible for hydration and temperature regulation, so it can be expected to have more than just a “change of mood.” However, if you suddenly inhale a large amount, it may put a strain on your stomach, so it is best to drink slowly and little by little.
Ice cream slowly melts in the mouth and sends a strong “cool” signal to the brain. It contains a lot of sugar and fat, so the moment you eat it, you are very satisfied, and it also helps relieve stress temporarily. However, the problem is the body's response. Saturated fats and sugars contained in ice cream activate the body's metabolism, and may have the adverse effect of increasing body temperature after eating. Rather than quenching thirst and fever caused by the heat, it acts more like a “dessert.”
Shaved ice is a typical summer snack that mixes various ingredients such as ice, fruit, condensed milk, red beans, and mochi. Ice cubes cool the tongue and mouth and have a strong cooling effect, but most of the toppings that go on top are high in sugar and carbohydrates. The type topped with adzuki beans, condensed milk, or ice cream, which contains a lot of sugar, stimulates metabolism rather than lowering body heat, and may cause more sweating. However, using ice as a focus on water-rich fruits such as watermelon, kiwi, and blueberries can help quench thirst and control body temperature.
When eating in the heat, water intake is a priority over appetite. In hot and humid weather, we sweat a lot to control our body temperature, so it's easy to run out of water and electrolytes in the body. In this state, ice cream or shaved water with a lot of sugar can worsen thirst and put a strain on the stomach. If you don't like ice water, lukewarm water or fruit drinks with a lot of moisture, such as watermelon juice, are an alternative.
What gives an immediate sense of coolness is a food that makes you feel cold as soon as it touches your mouth. However, if that feeling of coolness doesn't last long, the reaction may make you feel even hotter. While cold water cools the body, ice cream and shaved ice often focus on the satisfaction of the tip of the tongue. To overcome the real summer heat, we must think about “physical condition” rather than “mood.”